A West Chester apartment complex is taking extreme measures to get dog owners to clean up after their pets.

The Lakes at West Chester Village sent letters to all of its residents informing them that dog waste has become such a problem that residents who own dogs would need to submit them to a mouth swab so that the apartment complex can collect DNA.

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The letter, signed by property manager Jill Moorman, stated that any future feces found on the property would be sent to a lab so that management can match the feces to the DNA samples provided. Once the DNA from the feces is matched up to the offending dog, the dog's owner would be charged $200 per violation.

"There is a simple solution in order to avert the expense," the letter read. "PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET AS YOU AGREED TO DO UPON SIGNING YOUR PET ADDENDUM."

Property management said current residents with dogs would not be charged for the process, but future residents or residents who decided to get a dog would have to pay an extra $50 fee per dog to cover the cost of the program.

"While we frankly feel this is more work for us as a staff, the ultimate goal is to have a cleaner, safer and more attractive environment for all," the letter stated.

Some residents said the policy seems a little excessive.

"It does seem a little 'CSI;' it seems kind of funny," said resident Deanna Davis. "It's kind of funny and crazy, but I can understand it, too, because there has been a problem in the community of people not picking up after their dogs."

Dogs would have their mouths swabbed and their DNA put on file, and the testing will be done using a private company.